Skip to content
GuitarAtlasGuitarAtlas
Jazz scales

Scale

Jazz scales

A family of scales used to navigate jazz harmony. Includes melodic minor and its modes, the diminished scale, and bebop scales with added chromatic passing tones.

RootCAdvancedBebop, altered, diminished, lydian dominant, melodic minor

01Fretboard

Positions on the neck

This entry is an overview. Browse related scales for playable diagrams.

Intervals

    Example in C

    Used in

    • Jazz
    • Fusion
    • Modern Bebop

    02Progressions

    Common progressions in this scale

    • Pop

      I V vi IV

      C G Am F

      Optimistic, instantly familiar.

    • Blues

      I IV V

      A D E

      Twelve bar blues, the foundation of rock.

    • Modal

      i bVII bVI

      Am G F

      Cinematic, used in many film themes.

    Preview

    03Practice

    Exercises to internalize this scale

    • Three notes per string

      Run the shape up and down using strict alternate picking.

      10 minutes

    • Target tones

      Land on the root or third of the underlying chord on beat one.

      10 minutes

    • Phrasing motifs

      Pick a three note motif and develop it across two octaves.

      10 minutes